Here we have yet another parody of ambition and vanity.
A small town mayor learns of a visiting dignitary and determines to suck up to the visitor in the hopes of being given a medal. The bootlicking is (meant to be) funny because the visiting dignitary is a Persian, so the two men can’t understand each other.
The awarding of medals was a bit of a fetish in 19th Century Russia. Chekhov’s stories include at least half a dozen references to fops and poseurs with medals and awards. At least two stories, this one and “Anna on the Neck,” revolve around the awarding of these things.
Anyway, this is a pretty basic tale making fun of the mayor, who is not above crafting his own medals if no one will give him one.
Not much to see here, folks.
READ THIS? READ THAT!
“Anna on the Neck” satirizes the Russian obsession with honors, but it makes a deeper point about society. Unlike “The Lion and the Sun,” it’s not just playing for chuckles.
A Chekhov Circus 